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HomeMy WebLinkAbout7-9-91Planning Commission proceedings are tape recorded and on file in the office of the Planning Dept. MINUTES ARCADIA CITY PLANNING COMMISSION REGULAR MEETING Tuesday, July 9, 1991 The Planning Commission of the City of Arcadia met in regular session on Tuesday, June 11, 1991, at 7:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Arcadia City Hall, 240 West Huntington Drive, with Chairman Tom Clark presiding. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE ROLL CALL: PRESENT: Commissioners Amato, Daggett, Hedlund, Szany, Clark ABSENT: None MINUTES It was noted that on page 3 of the Minutes, it should say "Chairman Papay remarked... ". Commissioner Szany was absent from this meeting, therefore, he could not have made the motions on page 7. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Amato, seconded by Commissioner Hedlund to approve the Minutes of June 25, 1991 as amended. The motion passed by voice vote with none dissenting. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Szany, seconded by Commissioner Amato to read all resolutions by title only and waive reading the full body of the resolution. The motion passed by voice vote with none dissenting. OTHERS ATTENDING: Councilman George Fasching City Attorney Michael Miller Assistant Planning Director Donna Butler Associate Planner Corkran Nicholson Assistant Planner James Kasama Secretary Silva Vergel ELECTION OF OFFICERS MOTION Chairman Pro Tem Clark asked if there were any nominations for Chairman. It was moved by Commissioner Amato, seconded by Commissioner Szany to nominate Commissioner Clark as Chairman. The motion passed by voice vote with none dissenting. Chairman Clark asked if there were any nominations for Chairman Pro Tem. It was moved by Commissioner Amato, seconded by Commissioner Szany to nominate Commissioner Hedlund as Chairman Pro Tem. The motion passed by voice vote with none dissenting. PUBLIC HEARING CUP 91 -007 The southwest corner of Huntington Dr. and Second Avenue WLA Arcon, Inc. and Schaefer Brothers Consideration of a conditional use permit to construct two three -story office buildings with modifications. One office building will contain 16,667 sq. ft. and be located 93' -0" from the residential property to the south; the other building will contain 25,000 sq. ft. and be located 50' from the residential properties to the south. Staff said that the Planning Commission should open the public hearing to allow anyone present to speak on this issue if they are unable to attend the July 23rd meeting and then continue the hearing to July 23. The public hearing was opened. No one spoke in favor of or in opposition to this item. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Hedlund, seconded by Commissioner Amato to continue the public hearing to July 23, 1991. ROLL CALL: AYES: Commissioners Amato, Daggett, Hedlund, Szany, Clark NOES: None PUBLIC HEARING TM 50781 320 California Joe Huang Consideration of a tentative map for a 5 -unit residential condominium project. The staff report was presented and the public hearing was opened. No one spoke in favor of or in opposition to this item. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Szany, seconded by Commissioner Amato to close the public hearing. The motion passed by voice vote with none dissenting. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Szany, seconded by Commissioner Amato to approve TM 50781 subject to the conditions in the staff report. ROLL CALL: AYES: Commissioners Amato, Daggett, Hedlund, Szany, Clark NOES: None Arcadia City Planning Commission 7/9/91 Page 2 Chairman Clark noted that there is a ten day appeal period. Commissioner Hedlund abstained from this item. PUBLIC HEARING CUP 91 -008 320 -326 E. Huntington Dr. Pool Pockets, Inc. The staff report was presented. Consideration of a conditional use permit with modifications for a 6,640 sq. ft. billiard club with 23 tables, full bar service, and seven arcade game machines. Mike Miller, the City Attorney, stated that Condition 10 in the staff report, dealing with the dress Code, is not be a City imposed condition, although the applicant may chose to have that condition. He said that Condition 10 should be replaced with the condition that "the applicant agrees that this CUP is subject to the requirements of AMC 6314 and that any conduct or actions inconsistent with these conditions are grounds for revocation or suspension of this CUP and the applicable business license to subject premises and activities. " The public hearing was opened. Jerry Jamgotchian, 1445 Manhattan Ave., Hermosa Beach, said that he has been working with staff on this project and appreciates all of the help that he has received. He said that he is in agreement with all of the conditions in the staff report and with the new Condition imposed by the City Attorney. He said that he is going to abide by all of the conditions set by the City because he does not want the City to revoke the CUP and suspend his license. The former image and perception of a pool hall is not a desirable one but this will be an upscale, comfortable, first class operation. This is a great location for the proposed business and offers a nice atmosphere. He hoped to open by October or November of this year. He said that persons under 21 years of age would not be permitted and IDs will be required to enter. A driver's license or other acceptable identification will always be retained at the billiard ball check out counter for player control. Mothers Against Drunk Drivers (MADD) will have a designated drivers program which will be in full operations during all operating hours. No pitchers of beer or any other drink will be sold at anytime within the Club and there will be no dancing. He remarked that the City Council felt that this is a compatible use in this area and said that this will benefit the tenants. He said that he has developed several of these billiard clubs and noted that they are all very nice and successful businesses. He noted that he has worked with Stan Gribble before or other similar projects. He said that based on his experience with the billiard clubs that he has developed, they have been extremely successful and pleasurable businesses. The Montclair club was so successful that it was expanded and is located in close proximity to stores such as Nordstrom. In regard to security, he noted that security is very important to his business, because if his business is not safe, it will not be successful. He said that in all of his other clubs, he has enjoyed a safe environment. In a letter from Gaylan Hocott, on -Site Property Manager, it is stated that "the daily work- schedule of the security guard at the center would be to foot - patrol the parking garage, walk the center and be seen by all, monitor parking and traffic -flow, assist in any emergencies that may arise, and be a good -will ambassaor to anyone that may ask for assistance." His lease agreement for this site, consists of a condition for a security guard on the premises for after business hours. Stan Gribbie, 18401 Von Karmen, Irvine, the developer of the site spoke in favor of the proposed project. He said that this is a great location for a billiard club and said that the old image of a pool hall should not be confused with this project. This business will be a first class operation and will be an asset to the community. The presence of a security guard should provide a secure and safe environment. Arcadia City Planning Commission 7/9/91 Page 3 Curtis Annett, Pasadena, said that he has played pool in the above mentioned billiard clubs and has enjoyed playing. He remarked that Mr. Jamgotchian's establishments have been first class, clean and secure. Bob Margett, 145 W. Wistaria, said that this is not a compatible use with the surrounding businesses and office buildings. He remarked that it is funny that the people who are in favor of this proposal are all from outside of the City. He asked the Commission to deny this use and to send a clear message to Council that the people of Arcadia do not want a poolhall in their City and will not tolerate it. The developer was given several parking modifications on this site and he did not think that another parking modification is justified. Most people in Arcadia who enjoy playing pool, probably have pool tables in their homes. He did not think that Arcadia would benefit from this use. Claudia Storey, 336 E. Huntington Dr., said that she is the branch manager for Coldwell Banker and remarked that they have 40 agents, 30 who are women. They all work late hours and set their own times and sometimes work as late as midnight. They meet clients at this location at different times of the day. She remarked that this project would not provide for a safe parking lot and anticipated loss of business from walk -in clients from the hotels across the street. She said that she visited two of these billiard clubs and felt very unsafe both inside and outside of the building. She said that she would not return there without an escort. She remarked that even if this particular owner complies with all the conditions, who is to tell what the new owners would be like? She asked that the Commission deny or post pone this request to allow for more study and feasibility of this type of a business in this location. Bill Thompson, 460 N. Lima, Sierra Madre, said that he is the Assistant Manager of Coldwell Banker and was concerned for the safety of their agents as well as their clients. He said that Mr. Jamgotchian is trying to create a nice image of this business by playing with words such as "up- scale ". He said that this is going to be a pool hall with gambling and drinking and asked how a security guard would be able to control the people. Dennis Lojeski, 1230 Rodeo, said that as former Mayor and Councilman, he is very concerned with the proposed business. When the Council started the redevelopment of this area, they created a CPD -1 zone which eliminated certain uses. The purpose of this redevelopment was to remove blight and create a better tax base for the City. He was surprised that the Council approved this use in this zone. He further stated that several parking modifications have been given to the developer and he did not think that more parking modifications should be granted. He commented that originally they proposed one food establishment and now there are 2 more. This is a retail shopping center and the proposed business will definitely not be compatible as "retail" based upon Webster's definition of retail. This project will create traffic and loitering problems. It will create security problems. It has taken a long time to develop this area and it would be a shame to allow this business to go in. Maryanne Petrovich, 336 E. Huntington Dr., said that the parking study referred to in the report is outdated and was conducted almost two years ago. At that time the majority of the center was not occupied. Customers and employees of the Auto Club use a lot of the on -site parking and most of the time there is no parking available along Huntington Drive. She thought that the parking deficiency is far too great. Her clients and fellow agents would like to park close to their building, especially when they work late evenings and on Sundays. Yvonne Norwood, 336 E. Huntington, spoke against the proposed business. She was concerned with the safety of the agents and clients and said that clients will not come into their office if they are scared. She felt that there would be verbal abuse from the patrons of the pool hall. She said that they would lose customers. Marian Rogers, 530 Fairview Ave., was concerned about security of the area and did not think that a parking modification is justified. She said that the parking structure is very far and she would be afraid for both herself and her clients to walk there at night. She did not think that one unarmed guard would be able to provide adequate security and when the security guard is off duty, the parking lot will be monitored by a van which will patrol the area 3 times.. There are already 6 bars in the immediate area and one more is not necessary, especially with the type of clientele which it will attract. She asked the Commission to consider Arcadia City Planning Commission 7/9/91 Page 4 traffic during the racing season. People will tend to go to the pool hall after the race and gamble and drink some more. She remarked that she would be afraid of the type of people that would go to these type of establishments. She said that if Mr. Jamgotchain is providing several security guards inside, he must be anticipating problems. George Musulli, 10605 Balboa Blvd., Granada Hills, representing Coldwell Banker asked if the Commissioners have visited the pool halls that the applicant has developed. He remarked that he has been to Shooters, in Alhambra and has seen the type of people that go there and wondered if that is what Arcadia wanted here. He said that these type of people would mean loss of business for Coldwell Banker. If any one of the agents or clients of Coldwell Banker receives any type of bodily injury, they will hold the City responsible. Mr. Miller said that Cities are not deemed to be liable for discretionary land use decisions. Denise Clements, 529 E. La Sierra, Santa Anita Escorw, said that they looked for a very long time for a desirable location. The City has really improved this area, but by approving this use, it is taking ten steps back. She said that they also work late and she feared for her employees and herself. Ann Honeywell, 1237 S. 9th, said that she has seen many homeless people loitering in the back and said that with the proposed business, she anticipated to see more undesirable persons at the center. Kevin Kinsey, 235 San Antonio, said that he is a DJ who has been to pool halls before and said that he would of want those type of people in Arcadia. This pool hall would increase loitering and gang activity. In these pool halls anybody can drink and only the purchaser is required to show proof of age. He did not think that this would create a safe environment and was concerned about security. Annette Gilbert, 8646 Landisview, Rosemead, Fast Frame, said that her business was the first one in the center. She remarked that her children come there after school and usually sit in the back area but she would not feel safe leaving them there if this business was approved. She said on a couple of occasions she has dumped trash on a homeless person who happened to be sleeping in the trash bin and she said that this business would only increase undesirables in the area. In response to a question from the Commission, she stated that she has reported homeless people to the Police. Most of her clients have valuable art work who would like to be framed and they would be afraid to come to her store because of the pool hall and the type of people that it attracts. She is very uncomfortable with this use. Mr. Miller remarked that if there are any homeless, Ms. Gilbert should contact the Police Dept. and that her comments about the homeless are irrelevant and do not have anything to do with the CUP. In rebuttal, Mr. Jamgotchian said that if the business is sold, the CUP goes along with the property and the new owner will have to comply with the conditions set in the CUP. He remarked that the two businesses on either side of him; the beauty salon and Penny Saver, are not here to protest the proposed use. He said that the Council feels that this is a compatible use and many Arcadia residents are in favor of the proposed use. He said that if employees of Coldwell Banker parked in the designated spaces then there would not be any parking problems, but they want to be close to their building so they take up all the customer parking. In regard to the security guard, he noted that he never said that he would have 4 guards inside. He stated that they have been working very closely with staff and although the conditions set forth in the CUP are very stringent, they will comply with them. He reiterated that they would not be selling pitchers of beer and there will be no gambling. He is aware that if they violate the terms set forth in the CUP, their CUP can be revoked and the business license suspended. They only have one entrance, which will be from the front. He did not anticipate that the parking would be a problem, since the peak hours of his business are in the evenings and weekends, when the other businesses are closed. No one else spoke in favor of or in opposition to this item. Arcadia City Planning Commission 7/9/91 Page 5 MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Amato, seconded by Commissioner Szany to close the public hearing. The motion passed by voice vote with none dissenting. Commissioner Szany was concerned about the parking at the site. He stated that the parking study was conducted in 1989 and said that there is an overflow of parking from Souplantation, across the street. He thought that maybe a new parking study should be done with the existing parking layout prior to granting this request. Commissioner Amato agreed and remarked that parking modifications have already been granted to the other restaurants. He said that the average time spent in a restaurant is 1 -1 1/2 hours, whereas someone coming into this club would probably stay between 3-4 hours and subsequently drink more liquor. In response to a question from the Commission, staff said that there has been no report of extraordinary disturbances from the bars in the area. He noted that there are presently two vacancies in the center. Chairman Clark was also concerned with the parking and thought that it could be a problem in the early evening hours. He thought that a billiard club could be a fun place but agreed with the citizens that this would not be an appropriate use of the area. MOTION It was moved by Commissioner Amato, seconded by Commissioner Daggett to deny CUP 91 -008 and direct staff to prepare an appropriate resolution incorporating the Commission's decision and supporting findings. ROLL CALL: AYES: Commissioners Amato, Daggett, Szany, Clark NOES: None ABSTAIN: Commissioner Hedlund Chairman Clark noted that there is a five working day appeal period after the adoption of the resolution. AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION None TIME EXTENSION TM 47904 516 -518 W. Longden & 511 -527 W. Walnut Chris Construction Co. The staff report was presented. MOTION Consideration of a one year time extension for an 11 -lot subdivision. It was moved by Commissioner Amato, seconded by Commissioner Hedlund to recommend a one year time extension to June 27, 1992. Arcadia City Planning Commission 7/9/91 Page 6 ROLL CALL: AYES: Commissioners Amato, Daggett, Hedlund, Szany, Clark NOES: None RESOLUTION 1462 RESOLUTION 1463 Ms. Butler read the title of the resolution. MOTION A resolution amending Condition 3 of Resolution 1237 to allow an increase in the number of preschoolers from 48 to 60 students at 141 W. Las Tunas Drive. A resolution sustaining an appeal and overturning the Modification Committee's denial of MC 91 -005 and approving a 9' -0" high by 12' -0" wide trellis pergola at 284 Arbolada Drive. It was moved by Commissioner Amato, seconded by Commissioner Hedlund to adopt Resolutions 1462 and 1463 and to formally affirm the decision of June 25, 1991 and the votes thereon. ROLL CALL: AYES: Commissioners Amato, Daggett, Hedlund, Szany, Clark NOES: None Chairman Clark noted that there is a five working day appeal period. MATTERS FROM COUNCIL Councilman Fasching noted that at the last Council meeting the City signed a three year contract with the Police and Fire Departments. MATTERS FROM COMMISSION Commissioner Hedlund expressed concerns regarding the activity in Market Town. MATTERS FROM STAFF None ADJOURNMENT 9:00 p.m. 7e Secretary, Arcadia Planning Commission Arcadia City Planning Commission 7/9/91 Page 7